Sales & Marketing

When working in sales, you'll be required to target potential customers that fit with your banks brands, ideas, and future prospects. Those clients might be individuals or they could be organizations, or you could be selling to both. Although not set in stone, it tends to be tougher selling to organizations and experienced individuals simply because they know their stuff – if you get it wrong, they will know immediately.

Locating and Identifying Potential Clients

Many banks have strong relationships with marketing firms who (legally) sell third party data. Marketing agencies can narrow down results based upon your desired demographic or target group. Another way to locate and identify potential clients is through networking. Sales people will be expected to have strong communication skills, and be familiar within the community. Before applying for a sales position, try to boost your visibility locally, such as attending events, writing for your local magazine, or getting involved in community fundraising, for example. It's not what you know, it's who you know!

Marketing & Brand

Marketing officers help to improve a bank's overall reputation, using techniques to increase visibility and identifying gaps in the market where the company could fill in, such as creating a new product, or utilizing existing products in different ways. You can expect to be involved in a number of promotional campaigns, and you'll be working closely with PR, as both roles concern the outward face of the bank, and how the bank is seen by investors, the media, and competitors.

Skills & Qualifications

An interest in finance is advantageous, but not required. Training in sales and/or marketing, however, is essential. Both roles involve a high degree of creativity and initiative, an understanding of marketing and sales ethics, and a determination to be the best of the best.